The issue of abortion is more important to Democrats than it is for Republicans when choosing political candidates heading into the 2024 election, according to a study by Public Religion Research Institute. The PRRI-Brookings Institution survey of 2,500 U.S. adults…
Defeating authoritarian impulses requires a broad coalition, strategist says
It will take a broad coalition of Americans willing to set aside political and cultural differences to defeat the growing authoritarian movement bent on undermining constitutional freedoms, pro-democracy activist Chris Crawford said on the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty’s…
Pastors and politicians slam DeSantis for luring immigrants from a church to be sent out of state
U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost pulled no punches in criticizing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for hiring private companies to distribute migrant relocation flyers at an Orlando-area church that serves immigrants. Titled “Welcome to my bright horizon,” the brochures promised immigrants of…
‘God + Country’ documentary to debut Feb. 16
A new film about Christian nationalism exposes a disturbing picture of the movement’s use of intimidation and violence to express disapproval of those it considers religious and political adversaries, said Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious…
Florida bill would allow parents to sue for wrongful death in cases of abortion
A Florida bill that would allow parents to file wrongful death lawsuits in cases involving fetuses is little more than an effort to punish abortion providers, according to some of the state’s leading abortion-rights advocates. House Bill 651 would create…
Global condemnation falls on Alabama for experimental capital punishment method
Alabama joined a lineup of the world’s most notorious human rights violators by being the first state to use nitrogen gas to execute a condemned prisoner who suffered intense pain before dying. “The death penalty is a violation of human…
Historic First Baptist Austin commits to stay downtown with the help of partners
It has taken a pandemic and roughly two years of discussion, but First Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, is beginning to see how it might downsize without having to abandon its campus, while simultaneously expanding its downtown ministries. Senior Pastor…
Report highlights the good and bad of Biden administration’s immigration record
Amid the backdrop of a historically turbulent period of hemispheric and global migration, President Joe Biden has issued more orders on immigration since taking office than Donald Trump did during his entire presidency, according to a new report. “By taking…
Alabama legislator seeks to duplicate Texas law on school ‘chaplains’ even as resistance grows in Texas
The campaign against a new Texas law permitting school districts to hire unlicensed chaplains is gaining momentum just as Alabama legislators prepare to debate an identical measure in their upcoming session. The Texas statute went into effect in September and…